Edinburgh Access Panel have been working on issues around access at Waverley Station for many years. Recently they had a meeting with Miles Briggs MSP, who has launched a petition with a view to getting taxis allowed back into Waverley after they were banned from the station in 2014. The reason why this is important is that, at the moment, the journey for disabled passengers from taxi to train and from train to taxi is a severe challenge. Taxi drop-off and pick-up are in a variety of places outside the station, entailing an arduous (and sometimes hazardous) obstacle, especially for
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During 2015 The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) and the Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) formed a Consortium to develop an Inclusive Communication Hub for Scotland. The Consortium contributed with their wealth of knowledge and expertise in the development of this Hub. The Scottish Government are now supporting SDEF, SAIF and Sense Scotland to take forward the development of this Hub during 2016. The Scottish Government are now supporting SDEF, SAIF and Sense Scotland to take forward the development of this Hub during 2016. The Inclusive Communication Hub will be the first of its kind for Scotland. This will be
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Your view counts and is valued – that’s the message behind Police Scotland’s new online public survey which takes just 15 minutes to complete and will help shape policing priorities throughout the country. The survey will allow communities to tell the police what’s important to them – and to do so at a time which is convenient to anyone taking part as it’s open all year round, around the clock. Police Scotland have listened to feedback from the public over the last year and used it to re-design and re-launch their consultation process for policing priorities. The process has evolved
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Accessible Travel Plan Transport Scotland are working with SDEF, disabled people, transport providers and other Disability Organisations to create a plan which seeks to tackle barriers to travel for disabled people in Scotland. These issues were themselves identified by disabled people and cover all aspects of transport from accessible taxis, trains and buses, access to information and signage, hate crime, customer services and training, to accessible toilets and non-emergency transport. Key actions to begin the work of this plan have been identified and disabled people are now being asked to give their comments on these suggested actions, how workable they
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Police officers regularly stop and talk to people as part of their duties. They may simply want to speak to you about a local matter or to make sure that you are all right. There are also times when officers need to carry out a search if they believe you are hiding an item which is either illegal or harmful. Types of Search In Scotland, there are two types of search. Police officers have powers under legislation to search someone, if they have grounds to suspect that they may be concealing an illegal or harmful item. This is known as a statutory search. A consensual search is when an officer asks for
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We have recently responded to the following consultation: The Scottish Government’s Draft Delivery Plan Proposed Abolition of Social Care Charges (Scotland) Bill Personal Independence Payment: aids and appliances Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill The full responses can be downloaded from our website, or alternatively please contact us and we can send you a copy. Alternative formats are also available to download. Easy read versions of each response will be available shortly.
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The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) and the Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) have formed a Steering Group to develop a Inclusive Communication Hub for Scotland. The group members represent the following organisations: SAIF, SDEF, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD), Sense Scotland, Inclusion Scotland and Stroke Association. The Inclusive Communication Hub will be the first of its kind for Scotland. This will be an easy to use online tool, for all who wish to be more inclusive with the information they deliver. Inclusive Communication is, quite simply, communication that is inclusive. It is
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Agnes Stewart SDEF Staff and Directors are sad to announce the passing of Agnes Stewart, one of the founding members and Company Secretary of the organisation for many years. Agnes passed away on 19th October at the age of 86. Agnes was instrumental in raising awareness of independent living for disabled people and worked tirelessly throughout her life to better the lives of others, both as a nurse and latterly as a member of various disability groups and organisations, including within her role as a Director of SDEF. The funeral will be held at Crown Terrace Baptist Church, Aberdeen on
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The Scottish Government wants to hear the opinions of people who receive, or have experience of, any of the disability, ill health and carer benefits listed below. This is being done through a series of focus (discussion) groups which are being undertaken across Scotland. Why is this research being carried out? The Scottish Government is committed to building a fairer Scotland and tackling inequalities. This will mean tackling deep seated issues, not looking for quick fixes or temporary measures. Achieving genuine change will take time. It will also require collective effort and a shared vision of what a fair and
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The Scottish Government is inviting you to have your say on what a healthier Scotland should look like in the next 10-15 years and the steps that should be taken to make this vision a reality. The first part of this will look at what issues really matter to you. To help get the conversation started they have developed 3 broad questions. What support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives? What areas of health and social care matter most to you? Thinking about the future of health and social care services, where should our focus be? Why not
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